Ford Dagenham (2)

Caroline Pidgeon: Will you meet with workers and representatives from Ford Dagenham to hear about their work on cleaner diesel engines and future hybrid and electric technology?

The Mayor: Following representations made to me by Unite the Union, Shirley Rodrigues, my Deputy Mayor for Environment and Energy and Rajesh Agrawal, my Deputy Mayor for Business - visited Ford Dagenham in August 2018 to meet with plant workers and senior management, and to see for themselves the work Ford is doing on future technology development to produce cleaner vehicles. Representatives from Ford attend TfL’s Automotive Forum and they are contributing to the work of my Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Taskforce, providing motoring industry input into our drive to improve London’s air quality.

IIA of Taxi Age Limit Proposal

Keith Prince: Why has the Mayor not commissioned an independent Integrated Impact Assessment (IIA) of his proposal to reduce the taxi age limit (and the effects on the Taxi Trade and Market)?

The Mayor: Transport for London (TfL) has published an integrated impact assessment (IIA), as part of its consultation on proposals to reduce emissions from taxi fleet: https://consultations.tfl.gov.uk/tph/taxi-age-limits/user_uploads/reducing-taxi-emissions-integrated-impact-assessment.pdf
The IIA was informed by a series of stakeholder workshops and was reviewed by an independent consultant.

Charities and the ULEZ

Jennette Arnold: Some charities within my constituency are reliant on older and more polluting vehicles in order to provide services and meet local needs. They are facing uncertain futures with the introduction of the ULEZ as the cost of new vehicles is prohibitive. How is the Mayor supporting them to ensure they continue their important work amongst the community?

The Mayor: I am mindful of the impact of the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) may have on some charities. That is why on 22 February I launched my scrappage scheme for microbusinesses, which is also open for charities. This will provide support for charities based in London or those frequently entering the Congestion Charge Zone to scrap their non-compliant vehicle and replace it with a compliant one. Details of the scheme are available at www.tfl.gov.uk/scrappage-scheme
When ULEZ expands to inner London in October 2021, there will be a two-year exemption period for minibuses operated by not-for-profit organisations under a section 19 or section 21 permit. This will provide them with additional time to source a compliant vehicle.